Hours and Directions

Hours

The Archives is open to the public for research:

• Monday-Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

* Vault materials:
Cannot be paged after 4:00 pm
Must be returned by 4:15 pm

* Appointments must be made in advance for viewing architectural plans. Appointments are available in two segments: 8:45 am to 11:45 am and 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm. For further information please call 617-727-2816.

The Archives Facility

The Massachusetts Archives is located on a 4.5-acre site on Columbia Point in the Dorchester section of Boston. The building houses the Archives, the Commonwealth Museum, a branch of the Judicial Archives, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the State Record Center.

The 100,000-square-foot building, opened to the public in 1986, was designed to resemble the early forts on the surrounding shoreline. The building is equipped with computer-monitored climate control systems, fire detection and suppression systems, twenty-four-hour security, a photolab, eight paper storage vaults, an artifact storage vault, a microfilm vault, and a conservation laboratory. Public areas include a reading room, exhibit space, and meeting rooms, all handicapped accessible.

Directions

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Massachusetts Archives
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125

Telephone: 617-727-2816
Fax: 617-288-8429
Email: archives@sec.state.ma.us

By Car

From the north: Rt. 3/1-93 to Exit 15 (Morrissey Blvd./JFK Library). Turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Follow signs for UMass Boston/JFK Library.

From the west: Rte. I-90 to Rte I-93 South. Follow signs for UMass Boston/JFK Library.

From the south: Rt. 3/1-93 to Exit 14 (Morrissey Blvd./JFK Library). Continue north on Morrissey Blvd. Follow signs for UMass Boston/JFK Library.

By MBTA

Take the MBTA Red Line to JFK/UMass station and board the #1 shuttle bus. Ask the driver to be dropped off at the Massachusetts Archives/JFK Library bus stop, which is about a two minute walk from the Archives building.  The bus is free and runs every 5 minutes from the train station.

Map

 

Parking

Free parking is available to approved Archives, Mass. Historical Commission, and Commonwealth Museum patrons only. Visitors must obtain vehicle approval immediately upon arrival at the Archives Facility. Visitors can register their vehicle(s) at the Archives Security Desk. All unapproved vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.